About Us
The Legend of the Griffin & Stag
In the quiet corners of history, the Griffin stands as the guardian of divine treasure, while the Stag represents the spirit of the wild, ancient forest. The Griffin and Stag was born from this same union: the protective strength of traditional craftsmanship and the untamed imagination of the stories we love. We believe that the objects you surround yourself with—the marker in your current chapter or the shelves that hold your worlds—should feel as though they were plucked from a cathedral’s scriptorium or a wizard’s study.
Our workshop blends the “modern magic” of laser precision with an obsession for the medieval aesthetic. Every piece is inspired by the intricate linework of 15th-century woodcuts, the towering arches of Gothic architecture, and the ink-stained beauty of illuminated manuscripts. Whether we are etching a bookmark for a weary traveler or building a miniature library for a fellow book-hoarder, our mission remains the same: to create tactile, timeless artifacts that turn your home into a sanctuary for history, fantasy, and the rolling of the dice.
Meet the Scribe: The Heart of the Scriptorium
A Journey from Vellum to Birch
Welcome to the workshop. I’m Ashley Flesouras, the artisan and historian behind The Griffin and Stag.
My journey into the “world turned upside down” began long before the hum of a laser cutter filled my studio. With a background in Art History and Philosophy, I have always been fascinated by the way humanity records its stories—not just in the grand oil paintings of cathedrals, but in the mischievous doodles in the margins of a monk’s prayer book and the sweeping curves of a royal decree.
The Laurel’s Hand
For over thirteen years, I have been an active member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), where I was elevated to the Order of the Laurel for my work in Calligraphy and Illumination. My hands are well-acquainted with the weight of a quill, the temperamental nature of hand-ground gouache, and the delicate surface of pergamenata.
The Griffin and Stag is the modern evolution of that passion. While I still love the slow magic of a hand-painted scroll, I wanted to find a way to bring those ancient aesthetics into the modern home. By blending digital illustration in Procreate with the precision of laser-etching on birch, I am able to resurrect the “Grotesques” and “Bestiaries” of the Middle Ages for a new generation of collectors.
What’s in a Name?
The name Griffin and Stag was designed to evoke the warmth and mystery of a medieval traveler’s inn—a place where stories are told and legends begin. But the roots go much deeper:
- The Griffin: A tribute to my maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Griffin. In the realm of Romance Fantasy, the griffin is a symbol of dual nature and fierce protection—a fitting emblem for a shop that balances history and myth.
- The Stag: Inspired by the breathtaking worlds of Sarah J. Maas and the ancient myths of the “White Stag” hunt, the stag represents the pursuit of the extraordinary and the magical heart of the forest.
From the Central Valley to Your Hearth
Operating out of Los Banos, nestled in California’s Central Valley near the fog-swept Bay Area, I spend my days sketching, etching, and painting. Every item that leaves my scriptorium is a piece of my history, my academic study, and my love for the “Dark Academia” aesthetic.
Whether you are a fellow SCA member, a “BookTok” dreamer, or a collector of the macabre, I am honored to share these relics with you.
Thank you for supporting the craft.